Melissa Perkins-Banas: Effects of Title IX far-reaching after 40 years

Sunday

May 27, 2012 at 12:01 AMMay 27, 2012 at 7:36 AM

The 40-year anniversary of the federal law that prohibited gender discrimination in federally funded educational institutions, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, will take place on June 23.

MELISSA PERKINS-BANAS

The 40-year anniversary of the federal law that prohibited gender discrimination in federally funded educational institutions, Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972, will take place on June 23.

The law states that no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Prior to enactment of Title IX, there were vast differences in athletic opportunities afforded to boys and girls, with sports programs for boys far over-represented as compared to the general student body gender ratio. A local track standout and Olympic trialist, Judy Fontaine-Higgins, of Jewett City, recounted the barrier she experienced upon entering high school.

“At the start of my freshman year (in the) fall of 1971, I remember hoping to run track in high school, but at that time NFA did not have a girls team,” she said. “I vividly recall saying to my family and friends that if a girls’ team wasn’t started, I would go out for the boys’ team. A girls’ [track] program was started that season, spring of 1972.”

The effects of Title IX were far-reaching for Fontaine-Higgins, who today coaches cross-country and teaches sixth grade at Lisbon Central School. Her participation for two years within the program propelled her to greater success, enabling her to access more elite training by her junior and senior seasons under a local top track coach and elite distance runner, Norm Higgins.

Through those early opportunities, Fontaine-Higgins competed internationally against the Soviet Union in 1976 and 1977, eventually reaching the Olympic Trials in the pentathlon. She was ranked the second-best American in the AAU pentathlon championships in 1979.

Fontaine-Higgins’ personal records include 19 feet, 4 inches in the long jump; 5-81⁄4 in the high jump; and 24.3 and 54.1 seconds at the 200- and 400-meter distances, respectively. Fontaine-Higgins also competed at Madison Square Garden in 1974 as a high school student, running 6.7 seconds in the 55 dash.

In spite of the positive effects of Title IX, the law did not eradicate the gender bias that existed after its conception.

“In the early years of Title IX, the right to compete was granted to female athletes, but the respect that came with being an athlete did not necessarily accompany the privilege,” Fontaine-Higgins said. “My desire to pursue excellence was often questioned by others, and I often felt that it was not the norm for women to commit to a serious, goal-oriented training regimen.”

Controversy remained

In fact, Fontaine Higgins’ decision to depart from high school competition to compete in elite events at the state, regional and national levels within AGAA (Age Group Athletic Association) was not met without controversy; local community members, for example, questioned her decision.

At that time, few female athletes accomplished what Fontaine-Higgins had attained. As such, she was unfairly scrutinized based on prejudice associated with elite female sports participation.

Even for those youth without Fontaine-Higgins’ track and field prowess, Title IX created significant advantages off the field. There is well-established evidence, for example, that sports participation by girls is associated with better physical health, psychological well-being, higher academic achievement, an enhanced sense of self-competency and a healthy body image.

“Being a runner [and] track athlete afforded me many opportunities,” Fontaine-Higgins said. “I learned how to set goals and pursue dreams. I learned to deal with both success and failure. I traveled extensively both nationally and internationally [and] I studied and trained under renowned U.S. and German coaches. It facilitated the development of my basic philosophical tenant about athletics.

“It is through participation in sport that an individual can develop a positive attitude and a sense of confidence that will lead to success in all walks of life. This belief ultimately led me into a career as an elementary educator and coach where I inspire my students [and] athletes to recognize the intrinsic joy that comes from striving for excellence in all academic and athletic endeavors.”

Melissa Perkins-Banas is a clinical neuropsychologist and sports psychologist. Reach her at dr.mel@sbcglobal.net